KEYHAVEN and Hurst Castle

[Easedalenovice]

If you are in the Southampton area I think this would be a nice place to launch you Sib especially if you are a member of English Heritage. Launch is about £17 and car park about £7.

Launch at KEYHAVEN and sib over to Hurst castle and have a wander around Entrance is about £6 or free if a member.

Here is a video of our trip but cos of the weather we took the little ferry which is £7 return each person

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fziXPjuvE54

[Pete7]

Wow, you must have filmed this on one of the highest tides of the year. Normally there is quite a narrow channel into the lagoon and lots of muddy grasses banks, but they are completely covered.

The tide has a long stand at high water, then suddenly runs out very quickly, but a trip up to the quay with space for visitors worth while. The Gun is the local pub and shops a 20 minute fast walk.

Pete

[Matt]

Pete7! Hello sir!

[Easedalenovice]

Originally Posted by Pete7

Wow, you must have filmed this on one of the highest tides of the year. Normally there is quite a narrow channel into the lagoon and lots of muddy grasses banks, but they are completely covered.

The tide has a long stand at high water, then suddenly runs out very quickly, but a trip up to the quay with space for visitors worth while. The Gun is the local pub and shops a 20 minute fast walk.

Pete

Interesting. I suspect if you did go by Sib under the circumstances you describe you could end up high and dry if you left it on the left of the ferry pontoon

[Pete7]

Originally Posted by Matt

Pete7! Hello sir!

Matt hello Has Sir bought a rib OMG

[Matt]

Yes, I certainly have - need something to get the kids out on the water more.

Additionally, and shock horror - am midway through doing my yachtmasters as well - I fancy a bit of yachting too. Can comfortably sail, navigate, handle, etc a yacht already - but was thinking that a bit of chartering (in the short term) might be the way to go and also figured Yachtmasters is just a good thing to have!

[Pete7]

Absolutely, YM is the perfect qual UK charter companies will be delighted to see.

Whilst we loved the rib, a toilet, galley and bed suddenly become appealing as you race towards retirement.

Don't over look last minute UK charters too. We did a couple before buying when companies realised that me wafting cash under their noses or their yachts sitting there empty over a weekend worked well.

Chartering out of Oban at the end of the season was a great week. Bit chilly in the Spring, but Autumn even warm enough for a swim. Then of course there is a canal holiday. The Llangollen is spectacular and takes some beating

Pete

[Matt]

I was thinking I'd like to do my practical bit out of Falmouth - have you yachted down that way much? Just for a change of scenery from the solent.

[Pete7]

Managed Fowey a few times, and did a diving week out of Falmouth a couple of decades ago.

I tried to do the same thing for Coastal Skipper, so went to Brighton. Got on board and we set off for...........the Solent Skipper asked if I knew were I was going (the Folly), just smiled at him. We did do a leg to Cherbourg to try and stretch us a bit.

Dived the Manacles in calm conditions. Don't ever want to be there in even windy conditions in a yacht.

[paulbrown22]

Originally Posted by Matt

I was thinking I'd like to do my practical bit out of Falmouth - have you yachted down that way much? Just for a change of scenery from the solent.

We love Falmouth, have visited there by yacht (and RIB) numerous times. Lovely sailing within the estuary itself and up the river - our sailing yacht was a lift keel Ovni so we've taken it all the way up to Truro and dried out there overnight. Helford River is beautiful too all the way to Gweek, and going the other way to Mevagissey, Portmellon, etc. also great. On a typical YM course they are unlikely to get around the Lizard, but we love sailing into St Michael's Mount and Newlyn as well.

Definitely worth a try if your usual area is the Solent - generally a bit quieter than the Solent and some amazing places to visit.